Collapsible box



Oct. 13, 1936. w. H, lNMAN 2,056,969

' COLLAPSIBLE BOX Filed Feb. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Shegt .1 r

Z9 IN VENTOR nmam Oct. 13, 1936. w. H. INMAN 2,056,969

7 COLLAPSIBVLE BOX Filed Feb. 5, v1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR v y W e 31 ga 43 %zls ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNITED STATES William H. Inman,

NewarkfN rY assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a. cor- LPOIatiOD. of New York Application February 5, -1934,-Seria l lV o. 709,830

This invention relates to cartons or boxes formed of sheet material and has forits object to provide a novel and improved box or receptacle for holding various articles and one which can be manufactured at a relatively low-cost.

A further object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve boxes of this character which are formed from blanks to afford side and bottom walls constructed to permitflthe box to be collapsed or folded into compact form when not in use without having to disconnect the sides or other walls of the box.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved box of the character described having parts thereof such, for example, as a plurality of supporting andbracing members therefor so arranged as to permit the boxto be readily collapsed while maintaining its sides in permanently connected relation.

, A further object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible box having an unbroken bottom wall and connected side walls, two ormore of which are provided with supporting or bracing parts out from the bottom wall whereby openings are formed therein within which said parts or portions thereof are adapted to move to facilitate collapsing of the box;

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully-described, the novel features being pointed-out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In-the drawings: a

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a box constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which the box is formed;

Figl 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing the completed box as it appears when theside and end walls are in folded relation upon the bottom wall of the box.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating one corner of the box before moving one of the end Walls "thereof into position to be connected with a flap on one'of the side walls; v

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the sideand end walls as they appear when united one'with another? 7 V :7 Fig; 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of box;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the blank from which the box is formed; 7

Fig. 8 is a. plan View of the box as viewed from the bottom thereof when in collapsed or fold ed position;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional elevation through the box shown in Fig. 8 with the cover in closed position, and

, FigLlOis a sectional elevation through one cor- 'corners to afford openings therein and preferably. to form legs or supporting and bracing members f-onth'e'side walls,

The box or receptacle shown in Fig. 1 is indi- :cated generally at struction of the side walls ofwhich is best indicated by the blank shown in Fig.- 2; 'The one- -ter, as shown in Fig.1.

box as shown in Fig. 1.

to' permit the end flaps "inwardly into proper angular relationship with -of the tax ina m hereinafter. V T6" provide for the formatio'n of the foldable end'fi apsf2'l and the supporting legs for the'box upon the sidewalls thereof certain cuts are made 2l have downwardly projectingher of the box showing the relation of the side and bottomwalls when in non-collapsed position. The'same' reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same; parts. N5 The boxfcomprises generally a collapsible structure formed'of a one-piece blank of cardboard or other suitable material cut and scored to provide side'and bottom walls, the latter being out at its ill in closed position, the conpiece blank comprises generally a solid unbroken 'bottom wall ll from-Which extends the front and rear walls l2 and I3 and theend walls I 4, the rear Wall-having an extension box which is preferably l5 forming the top of the provided with a flap l 6 for'inser-tion' Within the box when closing the lat- 925 To facilitate the forming of the box lines of' scori-ng-areprovided at ll between the bottom i wall-H 'and the side" walls l2, l3, and I4, and also at" lfl'between the rear side wall l3 and the top 3 aswellas at Hi to permit the flap l6 tobe hinged upon the top 'for insertion inside of the Furthermore the front and. rear sidewalls l2'and l3 are scored at 2| thereon to be folded respect'tosaid'walls'.- Likewise the end wallsM are scored at '22 to permit of the inward an'd downward folding of said walls upon'the bottom.

nner more fully described in the-blank bythe dies when operating thereon.

"Thef cuts-are-best indicated in Fig. 2 ofthe draw- "ing's, those between the flaps 2| and the end walls -|4 being; shown at '23'. The. cuts by which the intermediatelegs fl are formed are-indicated at 25, Fig. 2, and the cuts-by which the corner legs 26 are formed'are shown at 21. -The end flaps A extensions: 2 l a thereon, which are hingedly'connected with the "corner legs 26, the latter being cut from the bottom wall of the box' whereby openings 28 are afforded in said wall at the corners thereof. 'Ihe -lower:edges- 29 of the extensions arev beveled or inclined relative to the bottom of the box.. The

extensions. form bracing members for the legs 26 -ancl ,the side walls .l 2.and,.l3. 7 When theend walls 6 0 a 7 a container for holding various other articles and i one in which the articles may be stored or shipped 2 are folded inwardly and downwardly upon the bottom wall of the box the extensions swing freely V within the openings 28, at the same time clear- I4a'of the walls i4,

be properly ventilated when in use.

the other of said portionsthey are positioned'one "upon another, as indicated in Fig. 5, andpermathe end walls I the box will overlie wall 12. e .7

withoutinterference by thebotto'm'wall l I, since J nently fixed upon the stippled .1 4

walls i4,

nently united, whereby the body of the box is completed and madeready for use.

However, when not in use the box can be readily folded to a flat position by pushing inwardly on thecentral triangular portions |4b of the end at which time the triangular portions l4a. will hinge about the score lines 22, thus drawing the front and rear side walls inwardly and permitting them to be folded downwardly upon I4, in which position the cover of the inwardly folded front When folding the box in this. manner the flaps ,2l and extensions 2Ia thereon will be permitted 0 move to the flat position shown'in Fig. 3,

the proper clearance for the extensions is afforded by the openings 28 formed by cutting out the material constituting the legs 26, as previously stated.

It will be noted that the end flaps 2! are permaportions3l. of the triangular members Me by the adhesive material thereon, but. that the lower ends of the flaps,

including the extensions Zia.- are not glued to r V the central portions Nb of the end-walls llwhere- V by saidends will move relative to said central 7 j portions when the end walls are swung-inwardly ;.and downwardly on the bottom wall, upon col- 1apsing or'fo1dingthe box to the flat position shown in Fig. 3.

;In folding or collapsingthebox the flaps 2| will be swung downwardly. as well as inwardly but by reason of the beveled or inclined portions 29 of the flapsthey are permitted to swing freely :re wa s without undue interference of the box.

f It will be noted that box constitute extensions by the bottom wall the corner legs 1 26 of the only of the front and sions 2la of the flaps 2| serve merely'to brace the legs through cooperation with the bottom wall of the box at points adjacent the end walls I4 against the inner faces of which'the flaps lie.

1 There is also an advantage in forming the inner .end of theflap by a straight line out since it simplifies to a certain extent the blanking operations and the construction of the dies as well and thereby reduces the cost of constructing the 7 box.

7 While the receptacle shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive may be readily used as an egg carton,

it will be understoodthat it is equally useful as asdesired.

When the receptacle is to be used as an egg lc'arton it will be provided with asuitable filler for and 13 thereof ,andthat the extenseparating the eggs, which may be of any well known design, such for example, as that indicated generally at 31 in Fig. 1.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 10 inelusive, the construction is generally the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. However, the formation of the supporting members for the- 7 box, which extend from the bottom wall thereof is somewhat different. 7 V V The one-piece blank shown in Fig. TI comprises an unbroken bottom wall 30 from which extends the front and rear walls 3 I, 32 and the endrwalls 33, the rear wall having an extension 34 forming the top of the'box which is preferably pro-' vided withaflap 35 for insertion within the box when closing the latter as shown in Fig. 6.

Intermediate the bottom wall and the front and rear walls are relatively narrow portions 33 and 7 intermediate the bottom wall and the end walls are similar portions 31 which, when the box is completed constitute supporting means therefor projecting below the bottom wall thereof.

To facilitate folding of the blank, lines of scoring are provided at 38 and 39 on'opposite sides of the portions '36 and also at 40 and 4l'on opposite sides. of the portions 31 as shown in Fig.7.

Additional lines of scoring are provided at 42 between the front and rear walls and the end flaps 43 thereon, and also at 44 between'the rear Wall and the cover 34, as well as at 45 between the cover and the flap 35.. .Furthermorethe end walls 33 are, each scored along the, lines 46 to permit them to be folded inwardly and down- :wardly upon the bottom wall as described herein- I I'he end walls 33 when scored, as. shown,'are formed to provide triangular end portions 33a-jand triangular intermediate portions 331) which con- The end flaps 43 are provided with relatively narrow'extensions v43a which are scored at 4317 to permit the extensions each to be folded or V doubled back upon itself to stiffen and complete the same as indicated at 43c, Fig. :6. The extensions are separated'from the side walls 3| and 32 by the cuts 41, Fig.7, thefoldediback portionsof the extensions being secured preferably by meansof the adhesive ,material indicated by the stippli g shown on the extensions in Fig. 7.

v The corners of the bottom wall of the box are in a manner more fully described hereinafter.

stitute hinged members permitting the. box when 5- .completed to be collapsed as shown in'Fig. 8.

cut away to afford openings 48 for receiving the extensions 43a to facilitate collapsing of the box After theblank has been formed, suitable adhesive materialis applied to the portions 36 and 31 thereof and also toportions of the triangular members 33aof the end walls as shown by the stipplinginFig. '7..- The blank is then folded along the lines ofscoring 38, 39, 40, and'4l to position 'the "side walls at substantially right angles to the bottom wall in the; indicated in Figs. 9 and 10. e V

1n the folding operations, the parts 36 and manner best 31 are swung outwardly 'on'the bottom wall along the lines of scoring 39 and and the side and end walls are folded upwardly along the lines ofr scoring 38 and respectively, at which time said walls and the stippled portions adjacent thereto will be united by the adhesive material applied to the stippled portions. However, if pre- 'ferred, adhesive material may be applied to the.

walls, instead of the relativelynarrow portions '175 2,056,969 "36 and" 3l,"the' result being the same lneither case'... By folding or doubling back the portions 36 and 3'! upon the 'side'and end walls of the box and securingthe same-byadhesive' material or otherwise, as preferred, supportingmembers 36a and 31a are formed on the side and end walls respectively, as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10,- whereby the bottom wall ismain'tained in spaced relation to a table or other support upon-"which the box may be placed,'thus providing a more or :less-yieldable bottom for supporting the eggs or other articles formingthe contents of the box. 1 I

' Theend flaps 43 are placed inside of the-portions 33a of the endwalls and are secured thereto by adhesive material as previously stated, but

not to the intermediate portions 33b of 'theend -walls' over which-they extend and relative to which the'y'are free toswingwhen folding the end walls inwardly' and' downwardly upon the bottom wall, as indicated 'in Fig. '8. 4 1

When the box is innon collapsed position th extensions 430 on theend flaps 43 lie opposite the ends of'the box supporting member's 31a, as shown in Figs. 6, 9, and "I; andare preferably made to substantially abut the en'ds'of thedoubled back portions31q, as indicated at 49, whereby the extensions serve te -form bracing members for the front 'and'rear'walls of the box at the corners thereof. g

The extensions are also preferably made to'cooperate directly with the bottom wall 30 of the box to brace the corner portions of the front and rear walls 3| and 32, through engagement of the extensions with the edge portions 'of the bottom'at p'ointsadjacent the end walls of the box as indicated at'50 in Fig. 10. I

The portions 5| of the "supporting members 36a,'on the front and rear wans 3l--and"32:'of the box, are extendedsubsta-ntially into abutting re- Tofacilitate collapsing"o f-th'e box when not in use, theend flaps 43 are beveledat szyas shown in Figs. 7 and 10;'-to permit them to swingf'inwardly and downwardly upon the bottom'wall of the 'box" when moving the hinged -portions'f33a lation with'res'pect' tothe extensionsflc of the and 33b to folded position; f This is madenecessary for the reason that the flaps not only swing inwardly,'but also swing downwardly at the same time, since the front and rear sides of the box are pulled inwardly and downwardly by the folding movements of the scored end-walls,thus caiising the beveled portions of-the flaps to-approach the bottom walls when moving-to folded position.

In this position the inner faces'of the end flaps will lie against the inner faces of the front-and rear walls 3| and 32, the flaps then extending between said walls-and the hinged end portions 330i of the end walls.

=carton, it may be. provided with; a'suitable filler Whenthe receptacle is'tobe used as an egg forseparating the eggs, a indicated at 53, in Fig. 6. I

An important feature of the invention is'the portion of which is provision, in each of ithe', two designs shown, of

within said openings.-*

to collapse the box by folding the scored ends inwardly and downwardly upon said wall, with the result that the folding or collapsing operations could not be successfully performed.

Furthermore, should the extensions be omitted, the ope'ning's would still be required, since the flaps 43 should in any'event be extended substantially to the'bottom of the wall of the box to stiifen and'brace-the'foldable end walls and the sidewalls as well, when the box isin non-collapsed positiomin which case the lower ends of the flaps will not be interfered with by the said bottom wall. This, of course, applies to the box shown in'Figs'. 1 to5 inclusive, as well as to the modified form of box. 1

- It will be understood that while I have shown the supporting members36a and 31a of the 'modified design at all four sides of the box, that if preferred, they may be provided at two sides :only, and further, that instead of applying the adhesive material throughout the length of said portions it may be applied at intervals thereon, or if desired, other securing means suitable for the purposemay be employed.

'I claim: 1 7 a '1. A collapsible box of the class described formed of sheet material, comprising a bottom wall and connected side walls a plurality of which are provided with supporting portions for the box extending below'the bottomwall thereof,

the remaining side-walls each comprising hingedlyconnected portions topermit the box to be collapsed without disconnecting its sides, certain of said hingedly connected portions having extensionsprojecting'below the bottom of the box when it is in noncollapsed position, said bottomwall having openings formed therein adjacent the extensions, and the latter swinging within said openings when collapsing' the box,

29A collapsible box of the class described formed of sheet material, comprising a bottom wall having corner portions thereof cut away to form'openings therein, and side walls on-the bottom wall" two of which are each provided with hingedly connectedend and intermediate por- 'tions', and two other side walls each having angularly disposed-end'flaps, portions of which are secured upon-saidhingedly connected end portions; the lower portions of the end flaps being unconnected with said end and intermediate "hinged portions and moving within said open- "ings' iand- 'relative to said intermediate hinged portions upon folding the hinged portions in- ;wardly and downwardly upon the bottom of the box when collapsing the same;

33A collapsible box'of the class described formedof a one-piece blank to provide a bottom "wallhavin'g connected side walls, two ofthe side Walls having leg portions for supporting the box -cut- 'f'rom' said bottom wall at the corners thereof whereby openings "are formed therein, and two 'of the side wallseach having hinged portions "adapted ntending; movement inwardly and downwardly upon'th bottom wall, during which movement said leg portions are adapted to move [41 A"collapsiblebox of "the class described formed of a one-piece'blank toprovide an unbrdkenbottom-wall having connected side walls, two of the side walls having legs for supporting the box cut from said bottom wall at the corners thereof and afiording openings insaid wall, and two of the side walls being scored for folding inwardly and downwardly upon said bottom wall when collapsing the box and having end portions 7 extending below the bottom of the box; and

adapted toimove within said openings when the side walls are folded inwardlyand downwardly upon said bottom wall. a a 1; 7

75. A collapsible box 7 of the class'described formed of acne-piece blank to provide an unbrokenbottom wall'having connected, side walls,

two'of theside walls being scored for wielding V movement inwardlyand downwardly to a subsaid scorediwalls-,and-two of the sidewalls hav- 7 stantially flat position adjacent said bottom wall ,whereby the remaining side walls are permitted to fold inwardlyand downwardly upon ingv angularly disposed leg portions at each end thereof, one of each of said leg portions being ;cut from said bottom'wall to-provide an open 29' :formed of a one-piece blank to provide an uning therein, the other of each offsaid: leg porions 'moving within said openings; when collaps'ing the box. a

Q6. A collapsible box of; the, class "described broken bottom wall having connectedside'walls,

I two of the side walls havingsupporting legs at their ends and'the other side walls having extensions projecting below the bottom of the box for jbracingthe sidewalls having the legs,said legs being cut from said bottom-wall at the corners thereof whereby openings. are 'formed in said ,bottom Wall, one ofthe side walls having, an ex tension hinged thereon and forming a coverfor the box, and two of' the sidewalls being scored iora folding movementinwardly anddownwardly @to a substantiallyfiat position adjacent said-bottomwwall whereby the remaining side walls are permitted to fold inwardly and;downwardly upon ,said'scored walls, said extensions moving within said; openings when collapsing the'box.

.; :i ,'-1A collapsible box of the classdescribed formed of a one-piece blank'to provide an un- Ebrokenibottom wall havingside walls thereon, two of the opposing side walls having angularly disposed end'flapsand the side walls between said opposing walls each being scoredtoltorm triangular intermediate andend portions, said end portions,-being connectedwith said end flaps, two or more of the side walls having sup- 1 porting. members for the box extending below said bottom wall and ,formed by" folding portions of the'blank one upon another, saidbottom posing walls the scored walls, portions of said ,members, moving within said openings when collapsing the box. 7

wall having openings formed therein adjacent said supporting members, said, end 7 and interme- 81 A collapsible formed from a blank-cut to provide a bottom wall having siderwalls thereon, said bottom wall having openings in its a corner portions and two }of the opposing side-wallsfleingprovidedwith 'extendedangularly disposed end flaps, the side walls between said opposing walls each being 'scored'to form triangular end and intermediate portions, the end portions being connected with said flaps, two or more of the side walls having lwall when collapsing the box [or the class described,

:aboaace supportlng members, tor; the boxfextending 'be- 7 .low said bottom wall and formed? by folding portions of the'blank one uponzanother, said end flaps having extensions projecting below the bot-' tom of theboxand cooperating therewith to af ford bracing rneansfor said opposing; side walls,

extensions -moving within said 1 openings when collapsing the box; r

9. A, collapsible box of the. class described,

stormed ot sheet material comprising a bottom wall'having connected side walls, aiplurality or which include hingedly connected: portions" whereby the box is rendered collapsible without disconnecting its'side walls, certain of said side :walls :havingsupporting portions ,for' they box; normally extending below the bottom wall of the box, said bottom wall; having openings therein corresponding respectively to said supporting portions, said supporting portions moving ,within their corresponding openings to permit, said-side; walls to foldginwardlyand downwardlyupon' said bottom wall-when collapsing the box, a pluralityof saidsupporting, portions each having an additional box supporting 7 portion connected therewith and angularly disposed relative there- :to and normally extending below the bottom of the box.

10. A collapsiblelboxi of the class described,

formed of sheet material comprising :a bottom wall having connected side walls, a plurality of i which include hingedly cohnected; portions walls having supporting devices normally extending below thebottom wall 01 the box, apluwhereby the box is rendered collapsiblewithout e j disconnecting its side walls, certain of said side rality of said supporting devices each including relatively movable portions angularly disposed one relative to another, said bottom wall having the angularly disposed portions of each of'which moves relative to the. other and'within its ,cor-i respondingropening to permit; the side walls to j ioldinwardly and downwardlyv upon said bottom box.

11 Arcollapsible box of the class described a formed oi sheet material, comprising a bottom lwallhaving toldable sidewalls thereon apluralityof which each includes hingedlyf connected portions to perm'itthe box to be collapsed withopenings therein corresponding respectivelyv to said-last mentioned supporting devices, one. of?

on which moveinwardly of the limitsiof the bottom of the box when collapsing the box, said moved when. collapsing the box whereby'to perdownwardly upon saidb'ottom'wall,

12. A collapsible box of the classjdescribed,

comprising a bottom wall having side-walls foldable inwardly and downwardly thereon, certain 0f the side walls having parts whichextendrbee low the bottom of the-,box-when' the boxis in V non-collapsed position, said bottom wall having openings formed therein-adjacent the side walls 7 having said parts and the latter moving within said openings when collapsing the box.v V H. INMAN,

bottom wall having openings'formedtherein adjacent said parts within which said parts are nm the hi nged portions to swing inwardly and out disconnecting its side walls, certain of said ,hingedly connected portions havingparts therea 

